Revegetation of mineral clay soils: shrub and tree species compared

Several species of shrubs and trees used in the revegetation of clay mineral soils in Northern Appennine region were compared. The trial site, a quarry land, with clay soil with high pH and a little organic matter was arranged in three randomized block designs. The trial tested the following shrub species Rhamnus cathartica , Colutea arborescens , Euonymus europea , Viburnum opulus , Sambucus nigra , Cotinus coggygria , Coronilla emerus , Crataegus monogyna , Ligustrum vulgare , Prunus spinosa , Spartium junceum , Cornus sanguinea , Paliurus spina‐christi and the tree species Fraxinus excelsior , Fraxinus angustifolia , Corylus avellana , Sorbus domestica , Prunus avium , Acer monspessulanum , Ostrya carpinifolia , Pyrus communis var. pyraster , Ulmus minor , Fraxinus ornus and Acer campestre. The present study was designed to test the adaptive response of the species transplanted in clay soil without preparatory tilling or dressing operations. The overall 9 year data indicate differences in the species tested: Spartium junceum , Ligustrum vulgare and Cotinus coggygria were the shrubs adapted to these edaphics conditions and planting practises together with Sorbus domestica , Pyrus pyraster , Fraxinus ornus and Fraxinus angustifolia . Animal damages were also evaluated. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.